What it means
Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index is a monthly survey similar to Michigan sentiment but with different methodology: focuses more on labor-market perceptions (jobs plentiful/hard to get), broader sample, different question structure. Released last Tuesday of each month at 10:00am ET. Often diverges from Michigan in short-term direction but the long-run trends align.
Why it matters
Two consumer surveys with similar but distinct readings reduce single-survey noise. When Michigan and Conference Board diverge sharply, the divergence itself can be informative (one survey may be capturing demographic-specific concerns the other isn't). When they align, the signal is more robust.
How to use it
Watch alongside Michigan as a paired consumer-side read. The 'jobs hard to get vs plentiful' difference is a real-time labor-market indicator. Falling consumer confidence often precedes retail-sales weakness by 2-4 months.
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